Saints choose Aaron Kromer to serve as the interim coach for Joe Vitt

When Saints interim head coach Joe Vitt begins his six-game suspension on September 2, he’ll be handing his whistle over to Aaron Kromer.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that Kromer will serve as the interim to the interim head coach during Vitt’s suspension.

According to the source, Kromer will work as the head coach for the team’s final two preseason games. While Vitt will run the practices and the meetings, Kromer will have the headset and the red flag during the games themselves, to help both Kromer, the staff, and the players get comfortable in advance of the regular-season opener against the Redskins.

Vitt will return after the October 21 game against the Buccaneers. Because the Saints’ bye falls before the sixth game, Kromer will be in charge of the team for seven total weeks.

The other primary options were offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The decision to go with Kromer allows them to focus on their primary duties. Kromer will continue to coach the offensive line. He also coordinates the running game.

The 45-year-old assistant joined the team in 2008, after stints with the Raiders (2001-04) and the Buccaneers (2005-07). He coached at Miami (Ohio) and Northwestern before taking a job on Jon Gruden’s staff in Oakland.

Wait a minute. I thought Aaron Kromer being Joe Vitt’s interim guy had been announced MONTHS ago. There was even a column on some major sports website excoriating the Saints for doing it this way, as Pete Carmichael (who interviewed for the head coaching position with two separate teams) would have been able to fill in for the entire year with no interruptions.

voiceofreasonsays says:
Aug 22, 2012 6:52 PM
Who dat? Redskins. I believe the Redskins beat the Saints* 34-20 on opening day in a grand debut for RGIII in the NFL.
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You continue to troll Saints posts with your drivel.
I trust you’ll be back here within hours of the game if RGIII is 3-15 with 67 yards passing and one rushing touchdown.

“——-The other primary options were offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The decision to go with Kromer allows them to focus on their primary duties.——–”

On the thread yesterday we were told by “knowledgeable” Saints fans that Loomis had it all under control and it would be Spags…

Spags has HC experience in the NFL – and arguably his selection would have made sense.

Kromer currently works for Carmichael – what a vote of confidence for Pete…

Yeah, don’t put the coach with the best credentials and experience in charge – take the offensive line coach and put him in charge???
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Had Spags been…say in his second your here, his defense already installed I believe spags would have been the choice. But if you look at hit this way, Kromer is the best option. Kromer was was asked to interview for I believe for the Raiders HC job before Allen got it. Pete Carmichael, with Sean out gets to focus solely on running the offense. He doesn’t have to worry about any HC duties. Spags, being his first year and still getting his defensive style together gets to focus solely on his defense.

The Saints are faced with something that no other team has faced before losing their head coach and assistant head coach(Vitt for 6 games). The boat has been rocked quite a bit by that….you don’t want to rock it anymore by putting too many items for one guy to handle.

Interesting that not only will he be the interim coach, but he also seems to get mentioned on coaching short lists over Carmichael, who to my knowledge rarely comes up. I know it’s Payton’s offense, but usually guys coordinating such a successful unit still get some play, certainly more often than the offensive line coach.

Who dat? Redskins. I believe the Redskins beat the Saints* 34-20 on opening day in a grand debut for RGIII in the NFL.
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I will be wearing Burgundy and Gold in the Dome on September 9, but Skins fans should have no illusions about difficulty of beating Saints at home – interim or no interim.

And why exactly is Sean Payton not coaching? Repeating Goodell’s accusations as fact, like little school girls, is not enough of a reason. The red faced commish still hasn’t shown clear proof that a pay-to-injure bounty system occurred in JUST ONE game, let alone every game for 3 seasons as he originally charged. Time for Sean to return and Goodell to go.

No sure why people are so perplexed about having Kromer fill in for Vitt.

Yeah, Vitt is suspended 6 games – but he’s still the “next man up” after Payton. Plus, he was able to be there and run things for ALL of mini camp, ALL of training camp, and ALL of the preseason games. Unlike Payton who got bounced way back in April.

As for Carmichael – I’m not 100% sure but I don’t remember him interviewing for any HC jobs. I’m pretty sure that was just Kromer. I don’t think Carmichael really aspires to take on the HC headaches at this point. I highly doubt that he considers it a lack of confidence – especially since he’s been calling the plays for the offense since Payton went down with his knee injury last season.

Personally, I think the Saints are going to surprise a lot of people with how well they handle this off season from hell. And I for one, can’t wait!